Driving Licenses. Advice?
#1
Driving Licenses. Advice?
Hello there,
I am currently still on my 90 day entry period so can still drive with my british driving licence in the state of Virginia. Once that is up I have to get my drivers licence.
The VA DMV says to get a drivers licence I either need -
-USCIS form I-797 receipt or approval notice for an I-485 petition displaying
applicant’s name
-Unexpired foreign passport with an unexpired U.S. Immigrant Visa
presented within one year of entry.
Do I get one now on my visa which expires on 3rd March or do I wait for my receipt? It still hasn't come through. I am wondering if it's fairly easy to get it on my visa and then extend it with the approval notice when it arrives? If I get it on my visa it'll only last till March 3rd:/
I phoned the DMV but they didn't seem to understand what I was talking about, they just kept telling me I needed some proof of legal status rather than answering my actual question *face palm*
Many thanks in advance
Corinna
I am currently still on my 90 day entry period so can still drive with my british driving licence in the state of Virginia. Once that is up I have to get my drivers licence.
The VA DMV says to get a drivers licence I either need -
-USCIS form I-797 receipt or approval notice for an I-485 petition displaying
applicant’s name
-Unexpired foreign passport with an unexpired U.S. Immigrant Visa
presented within one year of entry.
Do I get one now on my visa which expires on 3rd March or do I wait for my receipt? It still hasn't come through. I am wondering if it's fairly easy to get it on my visa and then extend it with the approval notice when it arrives? If I get it on my visa it'll only last till March 3rd:/
I phoned the DMV but they didn't seem to understand what I was talking about, they just kept telling me I needed some proof of legal status rather than answering my actual question *face palm*
Many thanks in advance
Corinna
#2
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2015
Location: Panama City, FL
Posts: 2,054
Re: Driving Licenses. Advice?
When is your 90 days up?
I would wait for the receipt. Seems pointless to go through the whole process only to do it all again in 2 weeks.
Meanwhile, drive carefully. Try not to get into any accidents as the insurance may cut you off (for any excuse).
If pulled over by the po-po, feign ignorance. Chances are they know less about the 90-day rule than you do. Say you can't get a US license until you get your visa/receipt.
I would wait for the receipt. Seems pointless to go through the whole process only to do it all again in 2 weeks.
Meanwhile, drive carefully. Try not to get into any accidents as the insurance may cut you off (for any excuse).
If pulled over by the po-po, feign ignorance. Chances are they know less about the 90-day rule than you do. Say you can't get a US license until you get your visa/receipt.
#3
Re: Driving Licenses. Advice?
3rd March! Not long!
Yeah I thought that was best. Just hoping it's going to be here before the 8th March as my friend is coming down. Though yeah I was tempted to carry on driving after 90 days as I live in a very very rural area and doubt the cops would have any clue about 90 days.
Yeah I thought that was best. Just hoping it's going to be here before the 8th March as my friend is coming down. Though yeah I was tempted to carry on driving after 90 days as I live in a very very rural area and doubt the cops would have any clue about 90 days.
#4
Re: Driving Licenses. Advice?
I assume you've arrived on a K1 and have submitted the AOS package. You will have to make several trips to DMV anyway, over the next few years, because typically they only give you a license valid to the expiration date on whatever immigration doc you're showing them.
Your K1 visa is no longer valid, so they wouldn't use that date anyway. They can use the date on your I -94 for now. The next piece of ID will be your 1-year EAD.
I'm surprised they allow you to show the USCIS receipt, but hey, if they do, that's good. Not sure what expiration date they would use based on that, though.
Rene
Your K1 visa is no longer valid, so they wouldn't use that date anyway. They can use the date on your I -94 for now. The next piece of ID will be your 1-year EAD.
I'm surprised they allow you to show the USCIS receipt, but hey, if they do, that's good. Not sure what expiration date they would use based on that, though.
Rene
#5
Re: Driving Licenses. Advice?
The police in Virginia have a reputation for being arguably the most rigorous enforcers of traffic laws in the US. I would encourage you to obtain your local license ASAP as the end of your 90 day grace period comes to an end, even if it means returning to the DMV to replace your license not long afterwards.
#6
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Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Athens GA
Posts: 2,133
Re: Driving Licenses. Advice?
The police in Virginia have a reputation for being arguably the most rigorous enforcers of traffic laws in the US. I would encourage you to obtain your local license ASAP as the end of your 90 day grace period comes to an end, even if it means returning to the DMV to replace your license not long afterwards.
#7
Re: Driving Licenses. Advice?
Rene! Yes I am k1 and have sent off my AOS package. I wasn't sure about the expiration date either but it says on the DMV va website so hey I'm not complaining!
Pulaski. Oh really? I had no idea about the police in VA being that way, good to know. Hmm okay, I just wonder how easy it would be to renew my licence from using one document to another document...
Pulaski. Oh really? I had no idea about the police in VA being that way, good to know. Hmm okay, I just wonder how easy it would be to renew my licence from using one document to another document...
#8
Re: Driving Licenses. Advice?
Traffic laws are fairly brutal in VA (Mrs P is from VA and still has family there, so we go back fairly often). Truckers hate driving through VA, and VA is one of very few states (it may be the only one) where it is illegal to own a radar detector - it is a ticketable offence to have one in your vehicle and the police will confiscate a detector if they find it.
#9
Re: Driving Licenses. Advice?
Rene! Yes I am k1 and have sent off my AOS package. I wasn't sure about the expiration date either but it says on the DMV va website so hey I'm not complaining!
Pulaski. Oh really? I had no idea about the police in VA being that way, good to know. Hmm okay, I just wonder how easy it would be to renew my licence from using one document to another document...
Pulaski. Oh really? I had no idea about the police in VA being that way, good to know. Hmm okay, I just wonder how easy it would be to renew my licence from using one document to another document...
Rene
#11
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2015
Location: Panama City, FL
Posts: 2,054
Re: Driving Licenses. Advice?
My experience was in Alabama so other states are probably different.
You couldn't go to just any DMV. It had to be the main office (one of 3 in Alabama). Other local DMVs were not equipped/trained to process aliens.
There was only one desk/officer able to do the task.
You had to wait in line with the dozens of 16 year-olds trying to get their first license.
As a permanent resident, the process was much easier, but that could also be attributed to that process being in Florida. My local DMV is a mile from home
To the OP: Try to avoid surrendering your UK drivers license. It's normal to exchange a license from another US state but they should not take your UK license.